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194.-You said something about some of the shop-keepers buying back their junks. What about that?
A.—Yes; one man in particular told me he bought back his junk. He said it could be done that the Chinese would sell back the junk after they had seized it; that is, if they did not resist or fight, the Chinese authorities would let them go and allow them to redeem the junk, but if they fought, they would not.
195. Have you ever seen men coming back wounded from any fights?
A.—No; I cannot say I have. I have seen them carrying back their rifles and provisions after they have lost their junks. They have run the junk ashore and walked back by land, having allowed the Customs to seize the junk.
196. Are there any Revenue Cruisers, or launches of the Chinese Government anchored close to Yaumáti or Shamshuipò?
A.-At Shamshuipò there is generally a small launch belonging to the Chinese Customs.
197. Have you had reports made to you while stationed at Yaumáti about highway robberies, which on investigation turned out to be the Revenue Officers stopping would-be smugglers?
A.—Yes; that is on the mainland outside our jurisdiction.
198.-Have these cases been frequent?
A.-Well, not frequent, there were two or three instances while I was there.
199.-Did they come to complain of being robbed?
A.-Yes; and on investigation it was found the occurrence had taken place in Chinese territory, and that it was the Chinese authorities seizing opium they were carrying towards Kaulung city.
200.-Do you remember any case of saltpetre and the sale of the junk at Yaumáti? · A. Yes; there was a junk sent there that was seized at Sháukiwán.
201.-How did it come within your knowledge?
A.-It was sent there for safety sometime before it was sold. It was kept in charge of the Police and was sold by the Government. It was seized by the Govern- ment for leaving the Harbour without a clearance.
202.-When was that?
A.-I cannot give the date: it was between 1878 and 1879.
203. It was confiscated by the Government of Hongkong?
A. Yes.
204. For breach of Harbour Regulations?
A. Yes.
205.--What is the size of these salt smuggling junks?
A.—250 piculs, but there are some smaller ones; 250 piculs is about the usual
size, and some are 300 piculs.
206.-Were you Acting Inspector of Sháukiwán last year?
A.-Yes, I was for a short time.